SHADOW

Rekindling

5 suns had fallen 4 moons had risen and I was finally ready to stop playing with her and "give up". I grew tired of behaving bitterly. I was ready to continue my manipulation.

We had to meet sooner rather than later and I had decided that was today. I set our meeting for after her night shift, I was picking her up.

I didn't want to sit and pretend to eat with a typical date at a restaurant, I wanted to lay down everything with her. There had to be no distractions, just me and her.

I left out of my house, a half an hour before I was supposed to pick her up under the cover of darkness. It was pitch black outside, only the light of the moon guiding me and the soft sound of the wind brushing against the fabric of my jacket.

The ride was quiet and short. The streets were sparse since rush hour had ended long ago. All that was left were the few stragglers and me riding toward our separate destinations.

The city loomed in front of me, lit up brightly.

As I moved farther into the city, I realized how little people were walking the street, which was normal. All the shops were either closed or closing soon.

I drove into the lot, parking in front of the mall she worked at and killed the engine. I sat there patiently, folding my hands and setting them in my lap.

I watched the entrance, eyeing the countless people that walked through the double doors, until finally she walked out with one of her co-workers accompanying her. I stepped out of my car, a broad smile on my face.

Whatever her friend had been saying to her fell on deaf ears once she saw me. I strolled up to her coolly, my hands shoved in my pockets. I sent her friend a small, acknowledging smile before turning my attention back to Jayde.

All Jayde could do was stare at me like I was some kind of phantom.

"Hi," I grinned as I took a step forward, leaning down to kiss her cheek gently.

Her friend left shortly after that, leaving us alone. Jayde's mouth still hung slightly agape in silent shock.

I waited patiently for the shock to wear off. After a few seconds she closed her mouth, shaking her head to search for the right words.

I beat her to it. "Let's go."

She nodded slowly, blindly following me to my car, her feet scraping against the tar pavement.

I opened the car door for and closed it behind her, getting into the driver's seat after.

I laid my head back against the headrest, staring her down intently. "You're very quiet, Jayde," I commented. "What's on your mind?"

"I didn't think you'd actually come."

I chuckled, turning over the engine. The engine silently came to life and I pulled out of the parking lot smoothly, speeding down the empty streets. "Despite your common belief I don't break promises. I take them very seriously."

Her dark eyes assessed the side of my face before she opened her mouth to speak. "I'm really sorry, Robyn for...how I treated you. I didn't mean to be cruel like that I was just so fucking angry with you. I vowed to never give my body to somebody unless they cared about me and then I turned around and gave it to you when I didn't even know you."

I nodded, opting to keep quiet. She wasn't finished.

"And then you left after saying you wanted me for more. Part of me knew it was too good to be true, so I don't even know why I got so angry at you for doing exactly what I expected. I guess what I'm trying to say is there's no hard feelings. You don't have to pretend anymore, I'm okay."